A Compromise Before Christmas

Chapter 15

Of all the places a heart-to-heart conversation could be had, Acacia did not expect to have one 30,000 feet in the air, and with Nikolaos of all people.

"You really care about what they think of you, huh?" he questioned

"Of course I do. In this life, my family is all I have; only their opinions matter to me."

Nikolaos quietly listened to Acacia speak. When she was done, he had a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I wonder what that feels like," he said dryly

"What?"

"Caring about your family's opinions."

Nikolaos's response flabbergasted Acacia. The lack of care in his tone also concerned her.

"Are your family issues so bad that you don't care what they think of you?"

"I've never concerned myself with others' opinions of me."

The proud answer felt distasteful to Acacia, though it wasn't surprising. He never struck her as the type of man who valued opinions, good or bad. If he had, he wouldn't be in his current predicament with his family.

"Perhaps if you listened to your family's feedback every once in a while, you wouldn't be in such messy situations."

Nikolaos chuckled, "You don't know my family."

"You're right, so why don't you tell me a little about them?"

"I thought we were discussing yours, not mine."

"We were, but my family isn't the one we're trying to deceive, is it? I need to prepare myself for what's to come."

Nikolaos's typically calm expression abruptly turned stern. His eyes darkened, and his face stiffened. That was Acacia's first time seeing him that way; it felt strange and slightly frightening.

"I don't know how much you've heard about the Cassavetes from the media, but we are far more complicated than anyone can imagine," he began with a chilling intro.

Acacia gave him her full attention because she felt she was learning not only about his family but about him, too.

"My grandmother, Corinna, has three grandsons. First is my older brother, Michalis; second is me, and third is our youngest, Adonis."

Acacia could not recall if Nikolaos had ever mentioned his brothers to her in the past. It felt like her first time learning he was a middle child.

"Between my two brothers, I want you to avoid Michalis."

"Can I ask why?"

"Because Michalis comes with Penelope, his fiancée."

"I'm guessing Penelope is bad news."

"She is an evil, manipulative snake. Her charms only appeal to my brother, which is why he always defends her. Penelope also can't mind her own business, so she'll be the first to call our relationship a lie."

Nikolaos spoke of his brother and his fiancée with much contempt. There was obviously bad blood amongst the three, but Acacia knew not to meddle because that wasn't what she was there for.

"Stay away from Michalis and Penelope, got it. Anyone else I should be cautious about?"

"Grandmother Corinna"

"You have made that painfully clear since the moment we made this arrangement. I think I understand."

"No, you don't," Nikolaos leaned forward and looked Acacia directly in the eye, "One slip-up, and it's over. She can see through you to where you can't even lie to yourself."

Acacia swallowed.

"If she's that good, what's the point of trying to trick her?"

"One can only hope, besides..." he moved away from her face and leaned back, "my grandmother is perceptive, but she isn't a god, and all mortals have a weakness."

Acacia eyed Nikolaos carefully, "So what's hers?"

"Me"

"Why?"

Nikolaos turned away from Acacia and looked out the window.

"Unfortunately, that information is irrelevant to our agreement."

Although their conversation had ended abruptly, from what little she was told, Acacia understood that the rift in Nikolaos' family wasn't solely caused by his destructive behavior. In fact, she had reason to believe his behavior was a result of what was happening in his family.

***

Almost an hour after its takeoff, the private jet had finally landed in Oia. The silence during the flight benefited Acacia, as she needed to prepare herself mentally and devise her own strategy.

Nikolaos, too, looked lost in thought and a little melancholic. His eyes longed as he stared into the clouds.

With the plane finally stationary, Acacia looked at Nikolaos and waited for his move. Nikolaos looked away from the window and focused on Acacia. In an instant, a spark lit up in his eyes; the dejected man who had said nothing to her throughout the flight had disappeared, and the man she knew all too well returned.

"We're finally here," he exclaimed

"And you're finally back."

Nikolaos looked confused for a moment, but then it clicked.

"A moment of weakness. I hope you savored it because you'll never see it again."

"I hope so; that was awkward."

"My apologies."

Reaching under the table, Nikolaos brought out a briefcase and took out an envelope. Acacia watched as he set everything up, and when he was done, he held out a pen.

"Our contract," he briefly explained

"Did you have to wait for us to land to bring it out?"

"Dramatic effect"

Acacia shook her head and picked up the paper. Even though they had already agreed upon everything, she still wanted to ensure that no additions or subtractions had been made.

"So? Is everything to your liking?"

Placing the paper down, she looked at Nikolaos.

"Yes, this is fine."

"Splendid! Now, then, Acacia Manolas, will you be mine for a while?" he asked while moving the pen closer to her. Acacia accepted it and signed the paper without hesitation.

"Sure, if you promise to behave," she returned the pen to him and waited for him to sign. Nikolaos put his signature on the paper, finalizing their agreement.

"For you, and only for you, I will," Nikolaos returned the papers to the briefcase and rose from his seat; "It's showtime".

Acacia got to her feet as well and followed closely behind Nikolaos. At the door of the private jet, he stopped to look at her.

"Cover your face and hold on to me, okay?"

Nikolaos' vague instructions made her heart beat fast, but the reassuring smile on his face prompted her to listen. Wrapping her scarf around her head, she held Nikolaos' hand, and he gripped it firmly.

"Let's go."

Because the scarf had fully covered her face, Acacia failed to see anything; she could only feel herself being taken away by Nikolaos' powerful arm. At first, it was quiet; then a cluster of noises suddenly filled the air. Acacia's heart raced as it never had before.

Camera flashes went off every second, and both male and female voices cried and pleaded for a word. The scene felt like a nightmare; the only thing keeping her sane was Nikolaos' hand that gripped hers.

After what felt like an eternity, Acacia had finally made it to safety. Seated in the back seat of a vehicle, she took off the scarf and deeply inhaled. She barely had a moment to catch her breath because the camera flashes persisted even though the windows were closed.

Acacia fearfully looked at the many men and women surrounding their vehicle as it moved; it looked like a scene from the zombie movies her sister liked to watch. It was Nikolaos' warm hand, which was still holding hers, that helped steady her heart.

"Are you okay?"

Acacia nodded because she still could not find her voice.

"You don't have to pretend; I know you're scared."

Nikolaos's genuine gaze drew the truth out of Acacia.

"Is that going to happen a lot?"

"Unfortunately, but you don't have to worry because I'll be there to hold your hand; Just like I'm doing right now."

Acacia looked down, and only then did she realize that the comforting warmth she had been feeling was because of him. The lingering fear would not let her let go, but common sense warned her against it. Eventually, she released his hand.

"Why are they behaving like this? Is taking a picture of someone that important?"

Nikolaos let out a hearty laugh.

"They're paparazzi, Acacia, taking pictures, especially exclusive ones, is how they make a living."

"How do they know?"

"Sometimes people call them on themselves, and other times, they're given tips."

Acacia's eyes widened as Nikolaos explained.

"Don't tell me-"

"Yes, I anonymously told them I would be returning to Oia, and with a lady friend."

"Why?!"

"Because news travels faster through the media. I can bet it's already on its way to my grandmother."

"Won't she suspect something?"

"Nope, I am a magnet for the paparazzi; they follow me around whether I tell them to or not."

Acacia was still in disbelief, but she finally understood the reason he asked her to do whatever he told her. She was in his territory, and no one knew it better than he.